Sealing system for electronics enclosure

ABSTRACT

A cable entry sealing system providing an electronics enclosure having a first enclosure half and a second enclosure half, the first enclosure half having at least one sidewall having an aperture therein; a radial sealing member, the radial sealing member being positioned between the first enclosure half and the second enclosure half; and a cable entry positioned within the aperture, wherein the cable entry comprises: a cable grommet; and a cable grommet support groove.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/630,338 filed Feb. 14, 2018.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed technology relates generally to sealing systems forelectronics enclosures, and in particular, but not exclusively to,sealing systems for electronics enclosures having cable entry points.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In applications utilizing sensitive electrical components, it issometimes required that these components are protected from damagingexposure to environmental contaminants such as dust, dirt, and water.Optimally, this is accomplished with a water-tight enclosure. Inconsumer products, this enclosure should be as low cost as possible andeasily assembled. Additionally, it is common that there is a need forelectrical conductors to pass through this enclosure to connect with theelectronic components. These entry points must not provide a means forcontaminants to enter the enclosure, and shall also be easily assembledin a manner suitable for mass production.

For consumer products, the optimum choice of material for electronicsenclosures is thermoform and/or thermoset plastics due to theirversatility and low cost. Conventionally, an effective method forsealing these plastic enclosures utilizes a silicone rubber sealcaptured in the overlap of two halves of the enclosure. These sealsgenerally work well with plastic enclosures because they do not requirethe precision and high clamp forces of more common compression seals.Because there currently does not exist a practical means for providingfor entry of cables at the enclosure separation area, through-wallentries are typically used. There are some cost effective means forsealing this type of cable entry, however, these sealing means are notalways particularly reliable, and can present a restriction on the sizeof connectors that may be pre-installed on the ends of the cables, sincethe connectors generally must pass through an opening in the wall of theenclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed technology generally described hereinafter provides forcable entry sealing system. According to one aspect of the disclosedtechnology, the cable entry sealing system comprises an enclosure havinga first enclosure half and a second enclosure half, the first enclosurehalf comprising at least one sidewall having an aperture therein; aradial sealing member, the radial sealing member being positionedbetween the first enclosure half and the second enclosure half; and acable entry positioned within the aperture, wherein the cable entrycomprises: a cable grommet; and a cable grommet support groove.

In some embodiments, the radial sealing member provides a seal at theperimeter of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the radial sealingmember comprises a multi-lip radial seal. In some embodiments, themulti-lip radial seal is provided in a singular, continuous loop. Insome embodiments, the multi-lip radial seal allows for multiple contactpoints along the perimeter of the enclosure to provide a seal. In someembodiments, the multi-lip radial seal is in direct contact with thefirst enclosure half.

In some embodiments, the cable grommet comprises a first portion, thefirst portion having a first lip and a first lip face; and a secondportion, the second portion having a second lip and a second lip face,wherein the second lip includes a projection extending beyond the firstlip face, wherein a recess is formed between the first portion and thesecond portion. In some embodiments, the first portion and the secondportion are generally U-shaped. In some embodiments, the cable grommetsupport groove is located within the sidewall of the first enclosurehalf.

In some embodiments, at least one sidewall further comprises an offsetface, wherein the offset face engages with the projection, such thatwhen the cable grommet is installed within the cable grommet supportgroove, the projection and the offset face form a contiguous portion ofthe sidewall. In some embodiments, the cable grommet support groove isshaped to receive and communicate with the cable grommet. In someembodiments, the cable entry further comprises a sealing face. In someembodiments, the recess and the sealing face are abuttingly engaged toform a cable entry seal. In some embodiments, the sealing face furthercomprises a knife edge.

In yet another aspect of the present technology, a cable entry sealingmechanism is provided. The cable entry sealing mechanism, comprises acable grommet, comprising a first portion and a second portion, whereinthe first portion comprises a first lip, the first lip having a firstouter edge and a first lip face, wherein the second portion comprises asecond lip, the second lip having a second outer edge, a second lipface, and a projection extending beyond the first lip face, wherein arecess is formed between the first portion and the second portion; andwherein the cable grommet is generally U-shaped.

In yet another aspect of the present technology, a cable entry sealingsystem is provided. The cable entry sealing system comprises anelectronics enclosure having a first enclosure half and a secondenclosure half, the first enclosure half comprising at least onesidewall having an aperture therein, wherein the enclosure defines aninterior; a radial multi-lip seal, the radial multi-lip seal beingpositioned between the first enclosure half and the second enclosurehalf; and a cable entry positioned within the aperture, wherein thecable entry comprises: (1) a cable grommet, wherein the cable grommet isgenerally U-shaped, having a first portion and a second portion, whereina recess is formed between the first portion and the second portion; and(2) a cable grommet support groove formed within the sidewall of thefirst enclosure half, wherein the cable grommet support groove is shapedto receive and communicate with the cable grommet.

In some embodiments, the cable entry sealing system further comprises asealing face adjacent to the interior of the enclosure. In someembodiments, the recess and the sealing face are abuttingly engaged toform a cable entry seal. In some embodiments, the cable entry seal is awater-tight seal that is created by the cooperation between the recessand the sealing face. In some embodiments, the installation of the cablegrommet allows for a gland profile to be completed, such that the radialmulti-lip seal performs as though there was no aperture within thesidewall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the disclosed technology, and theadvantages, are illustrated specifically in embodiments now to bedescribed, by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdiagrammatic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative embodiment ofthe disclosed technology;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an illustrative embodiment of the disclosedtechnology;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an illustrative embodiment of the disclosedtechnology;

FIG. 4 is a side isometric view of an illustrative embodiment of thedisclosed technology;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of an illustrative embodiment of the disclosedtechnology;

FIG. 6 is a side isometric view of an illustrative embodiment of thedisclosed technology;

FIGS. 7A-7B provide a schematic of illustrative embodiments of thedisclosed technology;

FIG. 8 is a side isometric view of an illustrative embodiment of thedisclosed technology;

FIG. 9 is a side isometric view of an illustrative embodiment of thedisclosed technology;

FIG. 10 is a front isometric view of an illustrative embodiment of thedisclosed technology;

FIG. 11 is a schematic of an illustrative embodiment of the disclosedtechnology; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic of an illustrative embodiment of the disclosedtechnology.

It should be noted that all the drawings are diagrammatic and not drawnto scale. Relative dimensions and proportions of parts of these figureshave been shown exaggerated or reduced in size for the sake of clarityand convenience in the drawings. The same reference numbers aregenerally used to refer to corresponding or similar features in thedifferent embodiments. Accordingly, the drawings and description are tobe regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following terms are used throughout the description, the definitionsof which are provided herein to assist in understanding various aspectsof the subject disclosure.

As used herein, the term “electronics”, refers to any of a printedcircuit board assembly, power supply, battery, and most any electronicor electrical component or assembly.

As used herein, the terms “enclosure”, “electronics enclosure”, and“housing” are used interchangeably, and refer to any electronicsenclosure in which electronic or electrical components are to becontained.

As used herein, the terms “aperture” and “cut-out” are usedinterchangeably, and refer to an opening or cut-out portion of theenclosure.

The disclosed technology generally described hereinafter provides forcable entry sealing system. With reference to FIG. 1, a cable entrysealing system 100 is provided. The cable entry sealing system 100provides for an electronics enclosure 10, comprising a first enclosurehalf 12 and a second enclosure half 14. The first enclosure half 12 isgenerally box-shaped and can be formed of any material sufficient to berigid enough to adequately enclose the electronics housed therein.However, it should be understood that the first enclosure half 12 can beof any shape required to contain the desired electrical componentswithin the enclosure 10.

The second enclosure half 14 is generally planar, e.g. a cover or lid.However, the second enclosure half 14 can be most any shape capable ofeffectively mating or combining with the first enclosure half 12 to forma complete enclosure 10. The second enclosure half 14 can be formed ofmaterial that is the same or different than that of the first enclosurehalf 12.

The first enclosure half 12 comprises at least one sidewall 16 having anaperture 17 located therein (shown in FIG. 6). The aperture 17 is formedfrom a cut-out portion of the sidewall 16. The aperture 17 allows forelectrical conductors confined within a cable to pass through the wallof the enclosure 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the enclosure 10 further comprises a sealing member18 positioned between the first enclosure half 12 and the secondenclosure half 14 to provide a seal. The sealing member 18 operates in aradial manner so as to seal along the perimeter of the enclosure 10. Insome embodiments, the sealing member 18 can be formed of a singlesealing material encompassing the perimeter of the enclosure 10. In someembodiments, the sealing member 18 is a multi-lip radial seal. In otherembodiments, the sealing member 18 can be an o-ring, quad-ring, or othersealing means of similar elastomeric form.

The cable entry sealing system 100 further comprises a cable entry 20.The cable entry 20 is positioned within the aperture 17 located in thesidewall 16. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cable entry 20 comprises acable 22, a cable grommet 24, and a cable grommet support groove 26. Insome embodiments, the cable 22 is further encompassed by a cable jacket23. The cable 22 and the cable jacket 23 extend from the exterior of theenclosure 10, passing through the cable grommet 24 to access theinterior of the enclosure 10. The cable 22 includes a distal end 22 awhich terminates within the enclosure 10, and can include connectors orterminals (not shown) for electrically and physically connecting to, forexample, a printed circuit board or terminal block within the enclosure10.

In some embodiments, the cable jacket 23 is fused to the cable grommet24, where sealing between the cable grommet 24 and the cable 22 isaccomplished by fusing the cable grommet 24 with the cable jacket 23utilizing, for example, a plastic over-mold process. A plastic injectionmolding process can be utilized in which the cable grommet 24 is moldedover the cable jacket 23 to provide a seal between the cable grommet 24and the cable jacket 23. In an embodiment, the cable grommet 24 ismolded over the cable 22 to provide a seal between the cable grommet 24and the cable 22. The seal between the cable grommet 24 and the cable 22and/or the cable jacket 23 can be impermeable, water-tight, air-tight,and/or water-resistant.

In some embodiments, the cable entry 20 can anchor the cable 22 to theenclosure 10, and provides an integrated strain relief feature whichprevents mechanical forces applied at the exterior of the cable frombeing transferred to electrical terminations at the distal end 22 a ofthe cable 22 within the enclosure 10, and helps to preserve theelectrical and mechanical integrity of the cable 22.

With reference to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the sealing member 18 isa multi-lip radial seal. In some embodiments, the multi-lip radial sealis provided in a singular, continuous loop (as shown in FIG. 3). Thesealing member 18 provides sealing or other lip elements 19, whereinsuch sealing or other lip elements 19 can be in direct contact with thefirst enclosure half 12, (as best shown in FIG. 8). The sealing member18 or multi-lip radial seal allows for multiple contact points along theperimeter of the enclosure 10 thus providing a seal. It should beunderstood by one skilled in the art that the sealing member 18 can becomprised of any elastic or other compliant material that allows for thetransitions included along the perimeter of the enclosure 10 and/or thecable grommet 24, yet still providing compression.

With reference to FIG. 4, the cable grommet 24 is shown. The cablegrommet has a first portion 28 and a second portion 30. In someembodiments, the first portion 28 and second portion 30 are generallyU-shaped, where a recess 32 is formed therebetween. The cable grommet 24can be formed by the molding of a soft or compliant material. In someembodiments, the cable grommet 24 is formed of thermoplastic elastomeror flexible material. It should be understood by one skilled in the artthat the cable grommet 24 can be made of any material sufficientlycompliant to adequately form a water-tight seal.

The cable grommet 24 is generally shaped to fit tightly within theaperture 17. In some embodiments, the cable grommet 24 is molded as asingle piece. In other embodiments, the cable grommet 24 can be formedof two molded pieces mated together to form a single piece.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cable grommet 24 includes a first portion28 having a first lip 34, where the first lip 34 includes an outer edge36 and a first lip face 38. The cable grommet second portion 30 includesa second lip 40, where the second lip 40 includes an outer edge 42, asecond lip face 44, and a projection 46 extending beyond the first lipface 38. The projection 46 includes an interior surface 48 and anopposing exterior surface 50. The first lip face 38 and the interiorsurface 48 of the projection 46 converge to form a right angle. As shownin FIG. 5, the cable jacket 23 extends from the second portion 30through the first portion 28, where the distal end 22 a of the cable 22terminates within the interior of the housing.

With reference to FIG. 6, the cable grommet support groove 26 is shown.The cable grommet support groove 26 is located within the sidewall 16 ofthe first enclosure half 12, and essentially frames the aperture 17. Byframing or contouring the aperture 17, the cable grommet support groove26 positions the flexible cable grommet 24 in the correct and properlocation to ensure reliable assembly of the first enclosure half 12 andthe second enclosure half 14. In some embodiments, the cable grommetsupport groove 26 comprises an optional cutout 63 (as shown in FIGS.7A-7B), which allows for water drainage on the outside of the cablegrommet 24. This optional cutout 63 prevents water from becoming trappedagainst or within the cable grommet support groove 26, and thus reducesthe likelihood of penetration of water into the enclosure 10.

As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the cable grommet support groove 26 can begenerally U-shaped, and shaped to receive and communicate with the cablegrommet 24 to complete the sidewall 16. The sidewall 16 further includesan offset face 52 having a ledge 54. The offset face 52 correlates withthe projection 46 of the cable grommet second portion 30 when the cablegrommet 24 is installed. More specifically, and as shown in FIG. 8, theoffset face 52 engages with the interior surface 48 of the projection46, such that when the cable grommet 24 is installed within the cablegrommet support groove 26, the interior surface 48 and the offset face52 form a contiguous portion of the sidewall 16.

In some embodiments, the offset face 52 is offset inwardly toward theinterior of the enclosure so to create the ledge 54 which works toprevent the sealing member 18 from sliding down and falling out of thegland. The first lip face 38 of the first portion 28 abuttingly engageswith the ledge 54, such that when the cable grommet 24 is installed, thefirst lip face 38 and the ledge 54 form a contiguous portion.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the cable entry 20 further comprises asealing face 60. The sealing face 60 is located on the interior side ofthe enclosure 10. It should be understood that the width of the sealingface 60 can be widened in order to improve sealing capability. Theaperture 17 is sized so that a compressive force is maintained with therecess 32 (as shown best in FIG. 4), which increases the dimensionalinterference as the cable grommet 24 is pressed within the grommetsupport groove 26. It should be understood that the aperture 17 can beof any size that complements the size and shape of the cable grommet 24.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, in some embodiments, the sealing face 60further comprises a triangular cross-section or raised knife edge 61.The raised knife edge 61 extends over the length of or the perimeter ofthe sealing face 60. When the cable grommet 24 is installed, thistriangular cross-section or knife edge 61 pushes against the cablegrommet 24 to provide an increase in localized pressure (or increasedcompression), which improves sealing.

With reference to FIGS. 8-10, when the cable grommet 24 is properlyinstalled, the recess 32 and the sealing face 60 are abuttingly engagedto form a seal between the grommet and the enclosure housing. The cablegrommet support groove 26 cooperates with the cable grommet 24 toreceive and engage with the outer edge 42 of the second portion 30,which ensures that the recess 32 and the sealing face 60 remainabuttingly engaged. Once the cable grommet 24 has been properlyinstalled, the sealing member 18 can be provided (as shown in FIG. 9).The sealing member 18 abuttingly engages the offset face 52 and theinterior surface 48 of the projection, and is adjacent to the ledge 54(not shown in FIG. 9) and the first lip face 38. When installed, thesealing member 18 remains flush against the housing, sealing itselfagainst the offset face 52 and the interior surface 48 of theprojection.

In the presently disclosed cable entry sealing system 100, theconnection between the recess 32 of the cable grommet 24 and the sealingface 60 (not shown in FIG. 9) provides for a water-tight seal and/or aseal that can prevent environmental contaminants from entering theenclosure 10. The sealing member 18 utilizes a plurality of flexibleribs (or sealing elements 61 as shown in FIG. 3), which create a highcompliant interface that can conform to surface variances that may bepresent in the offset face 52 and the interior surface 48. The uniqueshape of the cable grommet 24 allows for the gland profile to becompleted, and the sealing member 18 can perform as though there was noaperture 17 or cutout within the sidewall 16 of the first enclosure half12.

With reference to FIGS. 9-11, the fully assembled cable entry 20 isshown. In some embodiments, the first enclosure half 12 comprises atleast one fastener receptacle 57. As shown in FIG. 9, two fastenerreceptacles 57 are shown. Each fastener receptacle 57 receives afastener 58 to engage the first enclosure half 12 with the secondenclosure half 14 to essentially form the complete electronics enclosure10. In some embodiments, the fastener can be selected from a screw,bolt, or the like. The fasteners 58 allow for compression against thesecond lip face 44 to press the cable grommet 24 tightly in the aperture17, thus ensuring a seal between the recess 32 and the sealing face 60.

In an embodiment, the cable grommet 24 is formed of a compliantmaterial, which is ideal for sealing the enclosure 10. However, therelatively soft material can present challenges when it comes tomaintaining the location and flatness of interior surface 48. Toovercome this issue, a grommet support 56 is provided to reinforce andmaintain the geometry of the grommet 24, and to ensure reliableengagement between the sealing member 18 or multi-lip seal and interiorsurface 48.

As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the grommet support 56 provides additionalsupport to the cable grommet 24 when installed. The grommet support 56is an additional feature provided by, and located on, the secondenclosure half 14. When the electronics enclosure 10 is fully assembled,the grommet support 56 abuttingly engages with the exterior surface 50of the projection 46 to provide a backing. As such, the grommet support56 maintains reliable engagement of the cable grommet 24 with thesealing member 18 to effectively supply a waterproof or water-tightelectronics enclosure 10.

While embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described, itshould be understood that the present disclosure is not so limited andmodifications may be made without departing from the disclosedtechnology. The scope of the disclosed technology is defined by theappended claims, and all devices, processes, and methods that comewithin the meaning of the claims, either literally or by equivalence,are intended to be embraced therein.

1. A cable entry sealing system, comprising: an enclosure having a firstenclosure half and a second enclosure half, the first enclosure halfcomprising at least one sidewall having an aperture therein; a radialsealing member, the radial sealing member being positioned between thefirst enclosure half and the second enclosure half; and a cable entrypositioned within the aperture, wherein the cable entry comprises: acable grommet; and a cable grommet support groove.
 2. The cable entrysealing system of claim 1, wherein the radial sealing member provides aseal at the perimeter of the enclosure.
 3. The cable entry sealingsystem of claim 1, wherein the radial sealing member comprises amulti-lip radial seal.
 4. The cable entry sealing system of claim 3,wherein the multi-lip radial seal is provided in a singular, continuousloop.
 5. The cable entry sealing system of claim 4, wherein themulti-lip radial seal allows for multiple contact points along theperimeter of the enclosure to provide a seal.
 6. The cable entry sealingsystem of claim 5, wherein the multi-lip radial seal is in directcontact with the first enclosure half.
 7. The cable entry sealing systemof claim 1, wherein the cable grommet comprises: a first portion, thefirst portion having a first lip and a first lip face; and a secondportion, the second portion having a second lip and a second lip face,wherein the second lip includes a projection extending beyond the firstlip face, wherein a recess is formed between the first portion and thesecond portion.
 8. The cable entry sealing system of claim 7, whereinthe first portion and the second portion are generally U-shaped.
 9. Thecable entry sealing system of claim 1, wherein the cable grommet supportgroove is located within the sidewall of the first enclosure half. 10.The cable entry sealing system of claim 7, wherein the at least onesidewall further comprises an offset face, wherein the offset faceengages with the projection, such that when the cable grommet isinstalled within the cable grommet support groove, the projection andthe offset face form a contiguous portion of the sidewall.
 11. The cableentry sealing system of claim 1, wherein the cable grommet supportgroove is shaped to receive and communicate with the cable grommet. 12.The cable entry sealing system of claim 7, wherein the cable entryfurther comprises a sealing face.
 13. The cable entry sealing system ofclaim 12, wherein the recess and the sealing face are abuttingly engagedto form a cable entry seal.
 14. The cable entry sealing system of claim12, wherein the sealing face further comprises a knife edge.
 15. A cableentry sealing mechanism, comprising: a cable grommet, comprising a firstportion and a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises afirst lip, the first lip having a first outer edge and a first lip face,wherein the second portion comprises a second lip, the second lip havinga second outer edge, a second lip face, and a projection extendingbeyond the first lip face, wherein a recess is formed between the firstportion and the second portion; and wherein the cable grommet isgenerally U-shaped.
 16. A cable entry sealing system, comprising: anelectronics enclosure having a first enclosure half and a secondenclosure half, the first enclosure half comprising at least onesidewall having an aperture therein, wherein the enclosure defines aninterior; a radial multi-lip seal, the radial multi-lip seal beingpositioned between the first enclosure half and the second enclosurehalf; and a cable entry positioned within the aperture, wherein thecable entry comprises: (1) a cable grommet, wherein the cable grommet isgenerally U-shaped, having a first portion and a second portion, whereina recess is formed between the first portion and the second portion; and(2) a cable grommet support groove formed within the sidewall of thefirst enclosure half, wherein the cable grommet support groove is shapedto receive and communicate with the cable grommet.
 17. The cable entrysealing system of claim 16, further comprising a sealing face adjacentto the interior of the enclosure.
 18. The cable entry sealing system ofclaim 17, wherein the recess and the sealing face are abuttingly engagedto form a cable entry seal.
 19. The cable entry sealing system of claim18, wherein the cable entry seal is a water-tight seal that is createdby the cooperation between the recess and the sealing face.
 20. Thecable entry sealing system of claim 19, wherein installation of thecable grommet allows for a gland profile to be completed, such that theradial multi-lip seal performs as though there was no aperture withinthe sidewall.